For many of us it felt inevitable that the tragic death of Trevor Strnad would spell the end of The Black Dahlia Murder. After all his colourful charisma was very much at the heart of their appeal. However his bandmates took time to grieve and to adjust and made the decision that they should continue.

Brian Eschbach has put down his guitar and moved into the spotlight and Ryan Knight has returned after 6 years in exile. What is so edifying and entertaining about this album is that it sounds and feels definitively like a The Black Dahlia Murder record. It is still fiercely melodic death metal, with the emphasis on a blistering two guitar attack. It is comforting in its familiarity and the overall complexion is that Trevor’s life has been both celebrated and honoured by continuing on as if he was still here.

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